Justin Michael Wellman

Earlier today Steve and Tim lit candles to honor and welcome the energies of those who have passed. We welcome their spirit and their love in this ceremony and in this union.

Welcome to this gathering! Have a look around. Please take in where you are right now, and take in this unbelievably beautiful place...the perfect place for such an exciting day for all of us.

(If we are by the pond…) Steve and Tim shared a story with me of how this location was where they took one of their first strolls together. And as Tim showed Steve this very spot for the first time Steve had the sense that this is where they would be married. And Steve would share that vision with everyone. He had the opportunity to show it to. And here we are ….

Now look around at the company you keep. We are gathered here today because Tim and Steve are special to us. And because you are the people who have shaped the lives of both Tim and Steve. Today is a day where love wins…where boldness, fearlessness and optimism wins… a day on which two people whom we care about are making a commitment to build their lives together, to unfold their dreams together, to start and finish every day together… and most of all to bring more love into the world… making this a great day for us to be together!

We have each made it here to show our support for this union and to affirm our loyalty to them as they begin life as a married couple.​

They have made it here today because of love. Love of shared purpose. Love of creativity. Love of nature. Love of Madonna. Love of Esther Hicks. Love of service. And most importantly, love for each other. Love is a many splendored thing, love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love.

To them, love is a verb. Love is not a feeling... or a notion. It’s not a demonstration or words we say. Nor is it an obligation. Love is an action. Love is something one lives and one does. Love is the action you take to improve, to grow, to strengthen. It’s what we do for another to allow their growth and evolution, to allow their light to shine. This is what love is to Tim and Steve.

Love of this kind is something they both took on as a spiritual practice long before they met. They instantly recognized this in each other and found that they both had a passion for a similar lineage of wisdom teachings… many of the same books of ancient spiritual teachings sat on their bookshelves. Within these traditions, the number “7” is a very special number… note that they are getting married on the 7th! Bestowing 7 distinct blessings upon the union is a wonderful tradition that I would like to offer:

May you be blessed with love. May your admiration, appreciation and understanding of each other foster a love that is fulfilling and real. May this love between you be strong and enduring, and bring peace into your lives.

May you be blessed with a loving home filled with warmth, humor and compassion. May it be a place of refuge and creativity.

May you be best friends and work together to build a relationship of substance and quality. May your sense of humor and playful spirit continue to enliven your relationship. May you respect each other’s individual personality and perspective, and give each other room to grow in fulfilling your dreams.

May you be blessed with wisdom. May you continually learn from one another and from the world. Together, may you grow, deepening your knowledge and understanding of each other and of your journey through life.

May you be blessed with health. May life bring you wholeness of mind, body and spirit. May you keep each other well-balanced and grounded, and live long that you may share many happy years together.

May your life be blessed with the beauty of this world. May your aspirations find expression and may your experiences inspire you and bring you joy and fulfillment. May you find happiness together in adventures big and small, and something to celebrate each day of your lives.

May you be blessed with community. May you always be blessed with the awareness that you are an essential part of a circle of family and friends. May there always be within this group love, trust, support and laughter, and may there be many future occasions for rejoicing in their company.

May each of these seven blessings evolve as you evolve as individuals and as a couple.

Which of us here would not hope and strive for each of these in our own lives… and are we not all truly humbled and grateful that these are blessings that Tim and Steve already have in theirs… from their very first day as husbands and onward? Blessings abound!

Marriage is perhaps one of the greatest and most rewarding of all adventures in human relationships. Tim and Steve are certain that this is an adventure they’re ready to take on together… and are prepared to start that adventure today. There are words that they would like to share with each other about that.

Vow Exchange: Tim and then Steve

Ring Exchange with “I Do’s”

Thank you both. For many couples, the wedding ring is a symbol and a public proclamation that they are married. It is a sign of a commitment for one another and represents the love, honour and faithfulness that you have for your spouse. It is a reminder of the vows exchanged today, and the commitment you make today to share your lives together. While the celebratory traditions may be different in varying cultures, the sentiment and meaning of love as the wedding rings are being exchanged remains the same throughout the world. It is a love that should last forever, symbolised by a ring that has no beginning nor end. Today we share this tradition with the exchanging of rings.

[Turn to Tim]

Tim, do you take Steve, to be your lawfully wedded husband, promising to love him, and love him and love him… as well as honor and respect him, as long as you both shall live?

(Steve puts ring on Tim’s finger)

Steve, do you take Tim, to be your lawfully wedded husband, promising to love him, and love him and love him… as well as honor and respect him, as long as you both shall live?

(Tim puts ring on Steve’s finger)

Clearly, there is no greater gift that anyone can offer than to share their lives with someone. That is the gift that Tim and Steve have just presented to one another. Everyone here is an important part of that gift… those of us here today are their family. And the two of them are going to need us… to continue to love them, support them, advise them and protect them… to hold their union precious in our hearts.

Tim and Steve, not only do you have each other, you also have everyone here who has committed to support you and honor your love for one another.

Pronouncement

By the authority vested in me by the State of Vermont, I now pronounce you husband and husband.

You may have your first kiss as a married couple.

Ladies and gentleman, I give you Steve and Tim in the first moments of their married-life adventure!